A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM DISNEY ABC KIDS NETWORKS

CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis: Kids!

02/08/06

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, February 8, 2006 and this is your first early morning Kids! briefing.

Feels like we have been here before… President Bush has taken out his axe again and proposed cutting federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by 13% in fiscal year 2007.  That means omitting $53.5 million in funding to the public broadcasting entities.  The newly-proposed budget also looks ahead to 2008 and proposing swiping another $50 million from the approved budget for that year.  But that’s not all folks: the President doesn’t want to offer a dime of federal money to public broadcasters to support the conversion to digital TV and upgrading its satellite platform.  Public broadcasting had asked for $65 million for the conversion.  New CPB President/CEO Patricia Harrison voiced her concern over the proposed cuts in a statement saying CPB understands there are hard choices to be made with a war going on, the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, etc.  Harrison vowed to increase CPB’s efforts to “engage Congress” to continue supporting public broadcasting.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

BKN International AG has inked an exclusive global license agreement with Zorro Productions, Inc., to produce and distribute kid targeted animated series (minimum of 26 eps) and direct-to-video movies based on the classic Zorro property.  That said, with a budget of upwards of more than $8 million, BKN has begun production on the first animated series and direct-to-video title of a modern-day version of Zorro, tentatively titled Zorro-Generation Z.  BKN will handle all TV and DVD distribution as well as merchandising and licensing all of the elements for Zorro projects worldwide.

Worldwide Biggies Inc. and Ilion Animation Studios have inked a deal to produce Planet One, a CG animated feature film.  Writer Joe Stillman (Shrek, Shrek 2) will pen the script.  Slated for release in 1Q 2008, Planet One is the story of an alien planet, in a 1950s type setting, that fears a human invasion.

Studio B and Teletoon have signed on as partners with Snowden Fine Limited and Bejuba! Entertainment for the animated series Ricky Sprocket  Showbiz Boy (26 x 22 min/52 x 11 min).  Studio B Productions will be the co-producer and animation studio for the series with Snowden Fine.  Bejuba will distribute the series and will also serve as Executive Producer.  Targeted to K6-12, Ricky Sprocket-Showbiz Boy is slated to debut on Canada’s Teletoon in fall 2007.  Ricky Sprocket is a big kid movie star with lots of fans and a showbiz life, but he also has all of the trapping of a regular kid including an annoying sister, too much homework, and the ever-popular kid friend and family problems.

ValCom, Inc. has partnered with Stan Lee’s Pow! Entertainment and producer Jeff Franklin to produce a range of entertainment properties that will be announced at a later date.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Sorpresa! will air select programming content on Akimbo TM Systems‘ Internet-to-TV Video-on-Demand service beginning this month.  Service subscribers will have access to the Hispanic kids’ network’s video library.  The agreement includes soccer anime series Super Campeones, and Ecuador’s environmental/educational live action series Arcandian.

It’ll be Jack Black serving as host when Nickelodeon hands out its 19th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards, on Saturday, April 1 (8-9:30p), live from UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion.  As always kids will chose the winners for favorite TV show, movie, book, athlete, actor/actress, song etc.  Kia, Hasbro, General Mills and Burger King are the presenting sponsors of this year’s KCA show, with Firefly Mobile and Pepperidge Farm serving as associate sponsors.  The KCA are produced by Nickelodeon Productions in association with Bob Bain Productions and will be seen in 200 million households around the world. Voting begins on March 6 at nick.com and free promotional podcasts will be available on Nick.com and iTunes.  The network has partnered with Comcast.net, which will run a KCA nominee special (30min) on Fan, Comcast’s its multimedia broadband player. Topping the list of nominees this year is the animated movies Madagascar with three nods, followed by Robots with two.  Receiving two nominations each in various categories are Will Smith, Green Day, Mariah Carey, Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh and That’s So Raven, and Harry Potter.

MARKETING/LICENSING

4Kids Entertainment, Inc. has acquired the exclusive worldwide licensing rights to YoMonkeys a new kid’s yoga-inspired interstitial series from Animation Collective.  YoMonkeys uses humor while presenting kids with the basics of yoga.  As part of this agreement, 4Kids Entertainment will manage the marketing, promotional and licensing efforts for the series in the US and around the world.  YoMonkeys was created by Animation Collective’s Larry Schwarz, who is also the creator of the upcoming animated series Kappa Mikey set to bow on the Nicktoons Network February 25.

Razor & Tie Entertainment entered into a new partnership with Techno Source, a Hong Kong-based electronic toy company, to launch a series of electronic toy products using the Kidz Bop brand.  The products, including plug and play games, handheld electronic games, electronic dance mats and DVD-based games, will debut at the New York Toy Fair.

Correction: That would be $1 billion in sales for Strawberry Shortcake since the re-introduction of the brand (combined 2003-2005) and not the measly million stated here yesterday.

STONE SOUP

Scholastic Media has established the Scholastic Audio Group to tap into the rapidly growing audio market.  The new group will release six audio titles this summer that will be distributed at retail, mass merchants, and wholesale as well as through Scholastic’s library and proprietary channels.  A total of 20 titles are slated to be published in the first year.  The Scholastic Audio Group will be headed by Jennifer Feldman, Publisher, who will report directly to Alan Waldman, SVP & GM/Interactive Products, Scholastic Media.  The audio titles set for release summer 2006 include four early learning read-along books (K3-8) and two middle grade/young adult audiobooks (tweens/teens 9-16).

PlumChoice, Inc., a remote computer service support company, launches its Kids Are Curious initiative this week to coinciding with the release this week of Universal/Image Entertainment’s movie Curious George.  The campaign aims to help families by providing parents with tips (free) on how to set their home PCs up in order to protect where their ‘curious’ kids can surf, as well as recommending various kids’ internet safe software.  The Curious George movie and products are based on H.A. Rey’s book series, published by Houghton Mifflin.  Tips, a parent guide and other information can be accessed at www.plumchoice.com.

Quiksilver has launched Quik Films a program designed to encourage style, expression and exploration in individual athletics and creativity.  Though not targeted to younger kids, Quik Films sounds pretty awesome, thus I am telling you.  As part of the launch, Quik Films will host a short film contest for up and coming filmmakers during February.  They are looking for short-form productions (2-5 min.) that reflect the board-riding lifestyle and its brand, but the company is not limiting submissions to action-based content only.  Submissions are due by February 28, and will be judged on a series of criteria, with the general public invited to vote on submissions each week, during the nine-week preliminary judging period, at www.quiksilver.com/films. The winning short film from each week will qualify for the final round, where Quicksilver will select the winner.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Toys “R” Us, Inc. has appointed Gerald L. Storch as its Chairman of the Board/CEO.  Storch previously served as Vice Chairman/Target Corporation, where he is credited with leading the growth of Target to be one of the leading merchandising and retailing companies.  Storch plans to build the Toys “R” Us brand in both the US and internationally while continuing to grow the Babies “R” Us business. 

Genius Products, Inc. has appointed John Mueller as its CFO.  Mueller joins Genius Products from Jefferies & Company, Inc., where he served as SVP/Media and Entertainment Investment Banking in NY.  Mueller succeeds Shawn Howie, who has served as CFO since June 2005.  Also Genius Products has also signed James Cardwell to a Consulting agreement on various issues including worldwide business development, strategy for emerging technologies such as video-on-demand and the build-out of the financial and operational infrastructure.

RATINGS

Weekly Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K2-11 (000) 1/30-2/05/06:
K2-11 Prog Day 6a-11p (000)    K2-11 Primetime 8p-11p         (000)
NICK:                              1325    DIS. CH*:                                   1266
DIS. CH*:                          843    CARTOON NET:                          877
NAN**:                              645    NAN**:                                          645
CARTOON NET:              602    TOON DIS:                                   157
TOON DIS:                       153    BET:                                             109
NOG/THE N:                     110    ANIMAL PL:                                 103
BET:                                    65    MTV:                                              95
MTV:                                    63    DISCOVERY:                                92
DISCOVERY:                      54    ESPN:                                            62
ANIMAL PL:                         51    NKTOONS:                                   47
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.

Weekly Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K6-11 (000) 1/30-2/05/06:
K6-11  Prog. Day 6a-11p        (000)   K6-11 Primetime 8p-11p         (000)
NICK:                                         706    DIS. CH*:                                   929
DIS. CH*:                                   495    CARTOON NET:                        600
NAN**:                                       480    NAN**:                                        480
CARTOON NET:                        380    TOON DIS:                                  83
TOON DIS:                                153    BET:                                             77
NOG/THE N:                               71    ANIMAL PL:                                  75
MTV:                                           45    MTV:                                              69
BET:                                            40    DISCOVERY:                                59
ANIMAL PL:                                35    ESPN:                                            38
DISCOVERY:                              33    NKTOONS:                                    29
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.

Weekly, Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Networks, 1/30-2/05/06: Total Day and Primetime Rankings among Tweens 9-14 (000)
TWEENS 9-14  Prog. Day 6a-11p  (000)  TWEENS 9-14 PT 8p-11p (000)
NICK:                                                508    NAN**:                                590
NAN**:                                              473    DIS. CH*:                            840
DIS. CH*:                                          393    CARTOON NET:                426
CARTOON NET:                               284    MTV:                                  206
MTV:                                                 138    BET:                                   114
BET:                                                    56    DISCOVERY:                       97
DISCOVERY:                                      47    COMEDY:                            83
COMEDY:                                           42    THE N:                                  66
TOON DIS:                                          39    ANIMAL PL:                         64
ESPN:                                                  38    ESPN:                                  52
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.

Kids Cable Network Averages in thousands (000) for Saturday, May 7, 2005, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:            K2-11 1476; K6-11 976; TWEENS 9-14 792
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   827; K6-11 539; TWEENS 9-14 394
DISNEY CHANNEL:       K2-11   824; K6-11 448; TWEENS 9-14 357
TOON DISNEY:              K2-11   117; K6-11   76; TWEENS 9-14   33
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Kids Cable Network Averages in thousands (000) for Sunday, May 8, 2005, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:            K2-11 1236; K6-11 810; TWEENS 9-14 563
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   791; K6-11 520; TWEENS 9-14 386
DISNEY CHANNEL:       K2-11   702; K6-11 397; TWEENS 9-14 374
TOON DISNEY:              K2-11   137; K6-11   81; TWEENS 9-14   42
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Kids Cable Network Averages in thousands (000) for Sunday, May 9, 2005, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:            K2-11 1126; K6-11   514; TWEENS 9-14 414
DISNEY CHANNEL:       K2-11   642; K6-11   316; TWEENS 9-14 225
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   604; K6-11   336; TWEENS 9-14 257
TOON DISNEY:              K2-11     99; K6-11     48; TWEENS 9-14  31
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Answer to Yesterday’s trivia question: Who was required to memorize the KAOS code?  MAXWELL SMART of C.O.N.T.R.O.L. Kudos to:  Keny Mikey-Wake Up Media/West Palm Beach; Barbara Rosenthal-Tiffany Press/NY; David Stern-BARD Entertainment/NY; Kerry Hughes-DC Comics/NY; Chris Fagan-Morales Staffing Inc/NY; Jane Pook-geto & de Milly; Deborah Speckman-DIC Entertainment/Burbank; Pat Brady-CESD Talent/LA
 
Today’s Trivia Question: This company proclaimed all the people eating their product in Soviet Georgia were living past the age of 100. Says who? (click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)

Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis Kids!
02.08.06 –
Ad Sales – Barbara Shapiro – 203-583-1224 / [email protected]
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Cynopsis  CLASSIFIEDS —

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PROGRAMMING RESEARCH, Comedy Central/NYC. 6+yrs media research exp, Strg knwlg of Nielsen & N-Power, Strg knwlg TV strats & programs, Knwlg online metrics req. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (2/15)

JOB OPENING: VP, BRAND & CONSUMER RESEARCH, MTV&MTV2/NYC. 10+yrs media/mrkt res. exp, Strg analytic sklls/methodology, Xpert prob solver, Xllnt comm skills, Strg knwlg pop culture trends EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (2/15)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, CONSUMER MARKETING, OLN/Stamford, CT-10 yrs cable ntwrk Consumer Mktg req’d. Develop/execute consumer/trade mktng campaigns for tentpole events/prgrmmng & trade messages. www.olntv.com Res/salary: [email protected]  (2/15)

JOB OPENING: SALES COORD/ IGN Ent./Culver City CA, NY, or San Fran: Knwldg of internet & ent industry(movies, TV, DVD, Video Games). Strong math skills, BA/BS, & worked w/ reservation/order mngmnt systems Apply: [email protected] (2/15)

JOB OPENING: SECRETARY/IFC/NYC Support back office Film Ops dept. Strong att to detail, comm & MS skills. degree pref. rez to [email protected] (2/15)

JOB OPENING: ON-AIR PROMO PROD/Discovery Nets Int’l/ Silver Spring, MD: Produce on-air/pres. tape elements for intl brands. 5yrs promo/prod exp.Promo sched/coord, intl & channel launch exp pref’d. www.discovery.com . Job req#3234 (2/15)

JOB OPENING: SERIES PRODUCER/DC/Metro Area: For Cable lifestyle series, primetime. Imagination and excellent mngmnt skills req’d. Res to: [email protected] (2/15)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING MANAGER/CONSUMER MARKETING/Court TV, NY For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/ (2/15)

JOB OPENING: BUS. ANALYST/CABLEVISION FUSE:  1+ Yr accounting exp.  BS/BA in Acctng or Finance.  Excellent oppty for recent grad to join ent/music ind.  Res w/ job ID 0205NYT16491MRK to [email protected] (2/14)

JOB OPENING: LEAD PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANT needed for Syndicated NY show: Must be familiar w/ vista acct. system, excel, movie magic, pc, payroll and accts. payable.. E-mail resume to [email protected] (2/14)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/TBS/TNT, LOS ANGELES: Support AE and sales planner w/all aspects of the sales process (book/maintain orders & admin tasks). Col deg, internships, prior office exp pref. Email [email protected] (2/14)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC, CONSUMER PROD’S DIVISION/NY: 3-5yrs exp public relations w/exp in consumer products. Managing teams, client relations, strategy dev, outstanding writing/pitching skills a must.  Res/cvr Ltr: [email protected]  (2/14)

JOB OPENING: VICE PRESIDENT, Sales Strategy /Court TV, NY For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/ (2/14)

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JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Comcast Spotlight/Chicago: Develop research reports & analyses to support advertising sales. 3+yrs. Media research background. Search openings on www.comcast.com reference # 25950BR (2/14)

JOB OPENING: ADMINISTRATOR AD SALES MRKTNG/GSN/NYC: 3+ yrs mktg exp. Dvlp Ad Sales Mktg Collateral, execute added value elements & plan events. Proficient  MS PP. Organized, detailed w/strong writing skills. Res: [email protected] (2/14)

JOB OPENING: DIR AFFILIATE MARKETING/NGTV/LA: Dev/execute affiliate on-demand ntwrk launch/build campaigns. VOD/SVOD/PPV/brdbnd contnt mktg exp + 8yrs cable ntwrk exp req’d. www.ngtv.com Res/salary: [email protected] (2/14)

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JOB OPENING: DIR SPECIAL PROJECTS/NY: Nat’l public affairs show on PBS.  Oversee communications, promotion, special projects for weekly news series. Strong writing skills, exp creating buzz w/ electronic & new media a must.  Res/Salary to [email protected]   (2/14)

JOB OPENING: ART DIRECTOR/NBC Universal/NY: Print for USA Network. Create iconic, cutting edge work. BA with 7+ yrs design exp. w/ agency or network www.nbcjobs.com keyword job #483636. (2/14)

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JOB OPENING: DESIGNER/NBC Universal/NY: Print for USA Network. Ad campaigns, collateral & press kits. 3-5 yrs print exp. in broadcast or network TV. www.nbcjobs.com keyword job #483694 (2/14)

JOB OPENING: JR. SALES PLANNER/TV10s/NY:1+ yrs media experience. Strong analytical and organizational skills a must. Attention to detail essential. Resume to: [email protected] (2/11)

JOB OPENING: Mediaedge:cia, NYC First Global Comm’s Planning & Implementation Agency seeks MEDIA PLANNERS, SUPERVISORS exp. BUYERS & PLANNERS for Print, traditional & Online Media- Send resumes to: [email protected]  Re: Cyn  (2/11)

JOB OPENING: DIR, COMMUNICATIONS /TV Guide Channel/ Hollywood, CA: To drive media relations for Red Carpet award shows and orig programs. 5-7 yrs experience in TV/ent. publicity. Send resume/salary history to [email protected]  (2/11)

JOB OPENING: SR. WRITER/PRODUCER ON AIR PROMOS, CSTV/NY: 7+ yrs exp. Spv/write/produce/direct promo & branding campaigns. Strong creative a must. Reel & Resume: Human Resources, CSTV, 85 Tenth Ave, 3rd Fl, NY, NY10011  (2/11)

JOB OPENING: NBC Universal/NYC: VP, CONSUMER MRKTNG for Bravo. Strategic planning & execution. MBA pref w/10+ yrs cable exp. www.nbcjobs.com keyword job #453655. (2/11)

JOB OPENING: SENIOR PRODUCER Current Programming Court TV, NY For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/ (2/11)

JOB OPENING: MGR HR/A&E TV Networks Stamford CT: Provide generalist support inc recruiting, emp relations & perf mngmnt. 5yrs exp media/ent co. Comp/benefits/HRIS exp prefd. Strong interpersonal skills req’d. [email protected] (2/11)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA RESEARCH MGR/OMD: Primary research relating to study of emerging media tech effects. 2+ yrs of primary res. exp & knwldg of digital & emerging tech. Res/Sal Req’s to: [email protected] . Res. Mgr in subject line  (2/10)

JOB OPENING:  DIR PROGRAM PUBLICITY/NY: Oversee prgrm publicity. Report directly to CCO. Work closely w pres of prgrmng, prgrmng dept, talent & producers.10 yrs public relations exp req’d. Send resume to: [email protected] (2/9)

JOB OPENING: DAZZLING DESIGN DIRECTOR/FOX O&O/ATLANTA: Mng & design. 3D Whiz. Expert Knwldg of Mac OS, After Effects, Photoshop.  Maya a plus. Reel/Resume: WAGA/FOX 5 1551 Briarcliff Rd  Atlanta GA  30306 (2/9)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PRESS/NBC Universal/LA: Plan & execute west coast press strategy for Sci Fi & USA. 7 yrs publicity exp. www.nbcjobs.com keyword job #450031 (2/9)

JOB OPENING: INTERACTIVE PRODUCER 1-3 yrs. webmaster/producer exp. for a broadcasting station. BA in journalism or equivalent level of education and experience. Apply on line: [email protected] EOE (2/9)

JOB OPENING: SR. AE/Univision National Sales/LA: Must have 3-5 yrs brdcast sales, documented sales success and solid key client and agency contacts.  Fax resume to Laurie Kaman VP, Univision National Sales, L.A. ( 310) 348-3619. (2/9)

JOB OPENING: NATL ACCT MGR/Oxygen/LA: create co-branded mktg campaigns for cable operators, dev & customize events. 80% natl travel. 3 yrs exp mktg, sales & event planning. [email protected] (2/20)

WINTER INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here.  They are posted for free, and students work for school credit only.  For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish at [email protected].

WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Into Spring. MAG RACK/sportskool (NY, NY): Leader in VOD TV seeks MARKETING INTERNS . Strong communications skills required. Proficient in excel, word, and PP Cvr Lttr, res & references to: [email protected] (2/15)

WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: AIM TELL A VISION/NYC, award-winning English-speaking Latino TV Producer, seeks interns ALL DEPARTMENTS. Cvr Ltr & Res to [email protected] (2/15)

WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: ACT ONE | EXECUTIVE PROGRAM (Hollywood, CA): Hollywood Internships & Executive Training Program. Email: [email protected].  Free Info Night: Thurs, Feb 9, 8pm. Details at www.actoneprogram.com/ep (2/10)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —

SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED PROGRAMMER/MARKETER/PRODUCER Looking For Opportunity In Greater Philadelphia Area. Recently returned to area, looking for right opportunity. Contact: Michael Hochman, [email protected], 215-605-2253 (2/14)

SITUATION WANTED: BUDGETS/ FREELANCER available for budget work. All genres: reality, game, episodic, feature films. Budgets from $75K to $15 Mil. Union/Non Union. 15 years of experience. Contact: [email protected]  (2/10)

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